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Police patrol

The police authorities in Borno State have confirmed the death of eight officers following an attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Baga area of the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Edet Okon, the Command said three other members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price.

The police spokesman explained that 13 other persons sustained various degrees of injuries, adding that they were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

“Unfortunately, eight policemen and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price,” he said.

“Thirteen other persons sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.”

Okon also reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force in protecting the lives and properties of the residents of the state.

READ ALSO: At Least Five Security Officials Killed As Boko Haram Attacks Borno Govt’s Convoy

According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Bello Makwashi assured members of the public that the Force “will not relent in providing the needed security for the good citizens of Borno State at all times.”

Baga town came under serious attack on Friday when the convoy of the Borno State Government was travelling, where Governor Babagana Zulum is expected to receive returning IDPs.

The officials were ambushed by the insurgents, with uncertainty trailing the real casualty figure.

An Armoured Personnel Carrier belonging to the police as well as state government vehicles were reportedly hijacked in the attack.

Governor Zulum had flown in an Airforce chopper to Baga earlier, where he performed the Friday prayers with troops.

Meanwhile, the military has kept mum over the attack since it was reported.

When contacted, the Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, said he was not competent to speak on operations, directing Channels Television’s correspondent to the Defence Headquarters.

The Chief of Army Staff arrived in Maiduguri earlier today conducted the burial of the three other soldiers who were killed in an attack involving a Commanding Officer, Colonel Dahiru Bako.

A file photo of Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has condemned the attack on the convoy of Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, in which about 15 persons were feared dead and others injured.

The governor, according to a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesman, Terver Akase, sympathised with his Borno State counterpart.

Ortom described the attack as unfortunate and shocking, adding that security operatives will work hard to restore peace.

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GOV ORTOM CONDEMNS ATTACK ON BORNO GOV

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom condemns the attack on the convoy of Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, in which about 15 persons were feared dead and others injured.

READ ALSO: At Least Five Security Officials Killed As Boko Haram Attacks Borno Govt’s Convoy

Governor Ortom sympathizes with his Borno State counterpart and describes the attack as shocking and unfortunate.

He expresses optimism that Governor Zulum will not be deterred by the reprehensible ambush as he continues to work with security agencies to restore peace to all parts of his state.

Governor Ortom condoles with families of those who lost their lives in the attack and prays God to grant their souls eternal rest.

Terver Akase

Chief Press Secretary

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, says godfatherism is dangerous to the tenets of democracy in Nigeria.

Speaking during a ‘Thank You’ visit to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja, Governor Obaseki asked the people of the state to deal with him should he become a godfather.

“God forbid I become a godfather, I should be dealt with accordingly because it is dangerous to the concept of democracy,” he said.

While condemning godfatherism in politics, the governor argued that people who play such roles act outside of the nation’s constitution.

He warned that if people allow the act to trend in politics and governance, it will be worse than military rule.

“The godfather acts outside of the constitution. He now controls people who are constitutional players.

“If we allow such a situation to continue, it will be worse than military rule. When people who have nothing at stake, who have no checks and balances in them can just arbitrarily decide that this is the way the constitution can be interpreted, that is why the concept is wrong,” he said.

READ ALSO: Thank You For Bringing Your Deputy To See Me After Beating My Party, Buhari Tells Obaseki

On his part, President Buhari thanked Obaseki for coming along with his deputy, Philip Shaibu, to visit him at the State House even after defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just-concluded Edo Election.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki speaks during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari on September 25, 2020.

The President maintained that he ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and other security agencies not to interfere in the polls to allow the will of Edo people to prevail.

“If contestants have too much money and they decide to spray, so be it. But what I insist is, nobody should go and raise a counterforce to the government, arm heavily-drugged thugs to go and humiliate people.

“I want Nigerians to appreciate that I respect them as Nigerians and that I am bound by the oath I have taken, that their security is in the hands of God and in the hands of the government, which I am leading,” he said.

According to President Buhari, he was congratulating the Edo governor “reluctantly” because he defeated the candidate of his party, the APC.

Governor Obaseki defeated APC’s Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to win a second term as governor of Edo State, destroying godfatherism in the state.

The governor secured 307,955 of the total votes, 84,336 more votes than his closest rival Ize-Iyamu, who got 223, 619 votes.

The Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Julie Okah-Donli

Two hundred and ninety-two indigenes of Ebonyi State have been rescued from human trafficking.

This was disclosed on Friday by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Speaking during the inauguration of Ebonyi Task Force Team on Human Trafficking at Government House in Abakaliki, NAPTIP Director-General, Julie Okah-Donli said the rescue covered six years.

She explained that from 2004 to July 2020, the victims consisting of 205 females and 87males were subjected to child abuse, child labour, sexual exploitation and sale of babies.

“From 2004 to July 2020, a total of 292 indigenes of Ebonyi state have been rescued by NAPTIP, consisting of 205 females and 87 males, mostly from Izzi, Ezza, Ikwo, Afikpo north and south, Onitsha.

“These victims were subjected to child abuse, child labour, sexual exploitation and sale of babies.

“Between 2017 and 2020, the international organization for migration (IOM) returned 11 indigenes of Ebonyi state various parts of the world, Libya, Mali, Niger, the Middle East and parts of Europe. This comprised 9 females and 2 males,” she said.

The NAPTIP boss explained that human trafficking represents a clear and present danger to human and national security, adding that it must be addressed boldly and frontally.

While noting that the Task Force members have a pivotal role to play, Okah-Donli asked them to adequately sensitize people at the grassroots.

She also wants them to provide services and support to victims who have been rescued and returned as well as information sharing and law enforcement.

Speaking further, the NAPTIP boss also called for strong political will and budgetary provisions on the part of the state governments, in addition to the commitment of traditional institutions, religious and community leaders.

On his part, Governor Dave Umahi commended the efforts of the agency for its efforts in curbing the menace in the country.

Speaking through his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, the governor assured the agency of the state government’s support in fighting the scourge of human trafficking.

He also promised to promote the activities of the agency to the grassroots in order to halt the activities of human trafficking in the state.

A file photo of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has reiterated the commitment of the state government in ensuring that the selection process for the new Emir of Zazzau is carefully done.

The governor disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by his spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye.

While quoting the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Balarabe Abbas, the procedure is for the kingmakers of Zazzau Emirate to address their recommendations to the Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, who will in turn process the document and forward to the Governor.

“Upon receipt of the correspondence from the commissioner, the SSG will avail the security agencies of the names on the shortlist for the necessary checks,” Adekeye said.

“It is the duty of the SSG to forward the recommendations and the associated security report to the Governor for his consideration.”

READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu Launches N5bn COVID-19 Support Fund For Private Schools

The governor’s spokesman confirmed that the report of the kingmakers has been submitted, adding that it is a step that will trigger the next sequence of events in the chain of reporting and security vetting.’

According to Adekeye, the SSG appealed for calm and understanding as the responsible institutions manage a selection process that was last used 45 years ago.

The former Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris died on September 20 at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in the Kaduna state capital after a brief illness.

He was 84 years and was buried the next day in the state.

File Photo of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has launched a N5 billion COVID-19 Recovery Support Fund in the state.

The fund is to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on private schools in the nation’s commercial capital.

Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed this on Friday via his Twitter handle.

“Today, I launched a N5bn support fund to help reduce the impact of #COVID19 on low-cost private schools in Lagos,” the governor said.

“The educational sector is one of those severely impacted by the pandemic, with schools and vocational learning-centres shut since March.”

According to him, the facility will benefit 2000 low-cost schools with amounts ranging from N500,000 to N5million.

Today, I launched a N5bn support fund to help reduce the impact of #COVID19 on low-cost private schools in Lagos. The educational sector is one of those severely impacted by the pandemic, with schools and vocational learning-centres shut since March. #EducationMeetsFunding pic.twitter.com/PrKjLhxBXq

Sanwo-Olu noted that his administration provided interventions that would enable learners in schools study in line with the new normal.

This is made possible following collaboration the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) had with First Bank of Nigeria Limited to facilitate the matching fund.

The move, according to the state government, is to help accelerate a sustainable return to learning and skills acquisition.